Republican candidate for 5th Appellate Justice Steve McGlynn has been spending some time in Saline County this week, mainly trying to woo the votes of workers at American Coal Company.

Monday and Tuesday McGlynn visited the mine to meet with workers of each shift.

“I’m listening to them and hearing their concerns,” McGlynn said.

“Also it’s been my philosophy as a judge that to understand how a county works and the values the county, I can better serve them as a judge,” McGlynn said.

McGlynn said the chief concern of the miners is the future of their industry and the security of their jobs.

“People are concerned. ‘Why does the government hate coal?’ I share the same concerns,” he said.

“The miners are proud of the work they do and understand they provide cheap energy for America.

“One is naturally concerned why people in very high positions of elected office are seen to be very dismissive of Southern Illinois jobs.”

The judiciary can weigh industry regulation cases and determine if the industry “suffers the prejudices of those in government.”

“Judges don’t get to make policy decisions, of course, but they are certainly obliged to defend citizens against a government that is prejudiced against some of our citizens because of the way they look, the way they earn an honest living or their religious beliefs. I believe when we get it right communities prosper,” McGlynn said.

Tuesday McGlynn was visiting Olney and over the past few days he has been campaigning through Carmi, Mount Carmel, Albion, Effingham, Shelbyville and Newton.

McGlynn, of Belleville, formerly served as a trial judge and appellate judge.

“I’m a firm believer as judges we serve the people and we have to know how to best serve the people. When judges get it wrong our communities suffer,” McGlynn said.